Intended as a celebration showcasing the best of the host nation, it will feature a parade of all competing nations and the highly anticipated entrance of the Olympic flame, which ignites the cauldron and signals the start of the Games.

Meanwhile, a major Olympic Games opening concert coinciding with the opening ceremony will be headlined by 80s chart-toppers Duran Duran.

The band will represent musical talent from England, alongside Snow Patrol, representing Northern Ireland, Stereophonics for Wales, and Paolo Nutini who will play for Scotland.

The inclusion of Duran Duran prompted bemusement from some music fans – the band, formed 34 years ago, have scored just two top 10 hits in the past two decades.

But the involvement of Sir Paul, whose status as a national treasure is uncontested, is unlikely to prove controversial.

The Beatles were declared the biggest-selling singles act since charts began 60 years ago in a new Radio 2 countdown this week.